Worship

The purpose of corporate worship at Unity is

1. an authentic encounter with God that is:
   time-tested, relevant, excellent, and diverse.
2. an experience of fellowship with other members of God's family 
3. and a testimony of God's love to those not sure of it.
   

An authentic encounter with God involves:

1.  learning and experiencing more of the power, holiness, and grace of God and the invitation to respond to it, through the proclamation of His Word.

• Time-tested interpretations of Scripture are the springboard for preaching at Unity.
• Preaching must be relevant to our culture, presented in clear and compelling language which illuminates and facilitates God's comprehensive claims on our lives.
  
• Excellence in preaching is produced through careful and consistent study in harmony with reliance on God's Spirit.
• Unity encourages diverse styles of proclamation of God's Word being sensitive to age, gender, ethnicity, church background, needs, personality, and social status.

2.  expressing our love for, dependence on, and fellowship with God through music

• Time-tested songs of the Faith are welcome at Unity.
• Our expressions of praise must be relevant to our culture using a musical language that is current and accessible. We are eager to sing a new song unto the Lord.
• We will strive for excellence in our music through regular practice and the participation of those with discernable gifts. At the same time, we will allow developing gifts to participate.
• We welcome a diversity of musical modes, styles, and instruments. We seek the leading of the Spirit in our musical choices.

3.  celebrating our relationship with God through other fresh and thoughtful means.

• Time-tested elements of liturgy will be creatively employed.
  
• Worship must be relevant to our daily lives and not just a rote exercise.
  
• It will be intentional and from the heart.
  
• We will pursue excellence to honor God and respect His people.
  
• In addition to music and gospel proclamation, services will employ diverse avenues of celebration such as: prayer, offerings, sacraments, readings, story telling, drama, dance, ministry of music, and other creative Spirit-filled expressions.
  

4. experiencing fellowship with other members of God's family.

• We have gathered not just as individuals but also as a body.
• True worship encourages unity.
• Worship opens our eyes to the needs of others in the body.
• Our corporate worship experience flows into our coffee time fellowship and our fellowship throughout the week.

5.  testifying of God's love to those who are not sure of it.

• Seekers in our midst are drawn to God through our worship of Him.
• Worshipers exhibit humility and compassion.
• Worship is intricately connected to our weeklong work and witness, locally and around the world.